Pueblo, Colorado - A career high performance from sophomore
Aspen Salazar helped the Cowgirls to a big 77-71 win at CSU Pueblo on Saturday afternoon. NMHU is now 8-8 overall and 5-5 in conference play.
The host ThunderWolves led by as many as 11 points in the opening quarter, but the Cowgirls turned up the defensive pressure forcing eight turnovers in the second quarter to take a 41-38 halftime lead.
The Cowgirls built a 64-59 lead after three quarters of play and continued the defensive pressure holding CSU Pueblo to 4-13 shooting in the fourth quarter en route to their second road conference win of the season.
Salazar poured in 24 points and added three assists and a game high six steals.
Juliana Aragon and
Kapiolani Anitielu each scored 19 while
Aniya Johnson went for 10 points. Aragon had a team high five assists and Anitielu led the Cowgirls with three blocked shots.
Eva Ongoongotau grabbed a team high 10 rebounds.
The ThunderWolves held a 43-33 edge in rebounding.
As a team, the Cowgirls forced 25 CSU Pueblo turnovers that they converted into 30 points.
Saturday's win in Pueblo was the first for NMHU since January 28, 2011.
Up next, the Cowgirls are in Denver next week for critical games at MSU-Denver on Thursday and Regis on Saturday.
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